Chapter 27
Chapter 27
69%
Bianca wiped away a tear, replying, “It’s nothing. Dad. Juliette’s just worried I might like Finn, so she asked him to call me ugly.
“I didn’t blame her, though. After all, I’m not as pretty as she is.
Mason patted Bianca’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. “What Juliette did was out of line, but she only acted that way because she cares about Finn too much. Let’s not hold it against her.”
“I’m not upset, Dad. Finn dotes on Juliette. I just hope she won’t misunderstand him again, Bianca replied, her voice trembling with soft sobs.
Mason continued to console Bianca, notably refraining from criticizing Juliette.
“Well, now that it’s all settled, let’s head inside. I’ve been hearing your voices for quite some time and wondered why you weren’t coming in
“What’s so important that it can’t be discussed in front of your father? Mason asked in his usual warm, fatherly tone.
Once inside, Mason called Juliette aside. “Juliette, join me in the study.”
In the study, Mason gestured for Juliette to sit down. They faced each other across a small coffee table, and Mason, personally brewed coffee for her.
“I heard a child gifted you a piece of sandalwood.” Mason began
“You’ve got good intel, Mr. Vaughn, Juliette replied, her tone laced with mockery. She didn’t touch the coffee.
Mason glanced at her. “Are you upset with me?” He sighed, looking like a weary man burdened by years of hardship.
“I also heard Finn spent 17 million dollars on a coffee set for you Mason continued.
“Whatever it is you want to say, just say it. There’s no need to beat around the bush. You’re a busy man, Mr. Vaughn; let’s not waste time,” Juliette said flatly.
Mason sighed again. “You’re upset with me. You think I
favor Bianca and don’t care about you.”
“Mr. Vaughn, you’re free to give your affection to whoever you want,” Juliette replied coldly.
Mason looked genuinely hurt. Juliette, it’s not that I don’t love you. But when Bianca was just a month old, her father gave
his life to save mine.
“Shortly after, her mother couldn’t handle the loss and left. I owe her family a debt I can never repay.”
“And?” Juliette asked, her expression unchanging.
“You already have the coffee set. Why not give the sandalwood to Bianca? It doesn’t mean much to you, but in her hands, it can truly shine,” Mason said, his eyes fixed on her intently.
There it was again–the same sentiment Beau had expressed.
Everyone seemed to think the sandalwood was wasted on Juliette
1/3
11:50 Wed, Jan 29 BG
Chapter 27
269%
“So, Mr. Vaughn, the reason you’re being so kind to me tonight because you want the sandalwood for Bianca. Isn’t that right?” Juliette asked.
Mason hesitated. “You’re my daughter, Juliette. I’m always willing to be kind to you. I just want to be a good father.”
Juliette closed her eyes briefly, holding back her emotions. After long pause, she looked at him again, her gaze icy. “For years, to make up for Bianca, you’ve sacrificed me.
Do you remember? When I was learning to dance, I performed better than Bianca. You were afraid she’d feel hurt, so you stopped me from dancing.
“Then I turned to singing. During a school performance, I sang better than Bianca. Again, you stopped me.
When I got first place in my exams and overshadowed Bianca, she cried, and you locked me in a room without food.
Juliette closed her eyes again. She didn’t want to cry; she needed to keep her emotions in check.
After a long moment, Juliette looked back at Mason, her gaze icy and unyielding. This has happened so many times. “Anything I’ve ever liked, anything I’ve ever been good at–I wasn’t allowed to like it, and I wasn’t allowed to excel at it” Juliette straightened her posture, her voice sharp as a blade. “Me Vaughn, you owe Bianca’s father your life. Why should I be the one to pay that debt?
“Did I owe him anything? Did I owe Bianca anything? Just because Bianca lost her father, I’m supposed to give her everything?
“Mr. Vaughn, you’ve given away my entire life to make hers better. You’ve been the perfect father to her. But where is my father? Can you give him back to me?”
Finally, Juliette’s voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes, o matter how hard she tried to hold them back.
Mason froze, completely stunned. Juliette had never said anything like this before. Tonight was the first.
Juliette rose to her feet, delivering one final blow. “Don’t use your guilt as an excuse to sacrifice my life. If you want to repay the debt, Mr. Vaughn, use your own life.”
Downstairs, Finn had already left.
Evan sat beside Bianca, trying to console her. “Don’t take what Juliette said to heart.
“She’s just trying to get under your skin. Honestly, you’re the most beautiful girl in the world.”
Hearing this, Bianca managed a weak smile.
Evan’s heart ached for her. He continued, “Dad’s talking to her in the study.
“He’ll make sure she hands over the sandalwood. Don’t worry–when she comes back down, it’ll be her turn to cry.”
Bianca clenched her dress tightly, thinking, ‘With Dad’s backing the sandalwood must be mine. It always had been mine Growing up, no matter what she and Juliette fought over, Bianca always came out on top.
Sitting on her other side, Polly held her hand and said, “Juliette’s words were completely out of line. She was trying to humiliate you.
11.50 Wed, Jan 29 GB.
Chapter 27
246
“She already has that teaware Finn bought for her. The sandalwood is yours, my dear. Don’t cry anymore, it breaks my heart to see you like this”
Polly gently guided Bianca’s head to rest on her shoulder, soothing her like a child.
Juliette descended the stairs and saw the heartwarming scene of mother and daughter together.
“Leaving already, Juliette? I’ll go with you.” Evan offered, getting up to join her.
“Go where?” Juliette asked.
“To get the sandalwood. Honestly, you should’ve never sent it there in the first place. We wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble now, Evan replied.
Hearing his matter–of–fact tone, Juliette realized they all assumed Mason had pressured her into giving up the sandalwood
“Let’s go. I’ll drive,” Evan said, twirling his car keys.
Just then, Juliette’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen–it was Louis.
Stepping aside, Juliette answered the call and was met with his panicked voice. “Mommy, something’s wrong! Daddy just collapsed!”
Patrick collapsed: Juliette could hardly believe it. A man as strong and composed as Patrick seemed invincible in her eyes Juliette thought, ‘Could this have something to do with the sandalwood? Did someone attack them because Louis gave it to
me?”
The thought of Louis almost drowning last time sent a chill down Juliette’s spine. Anger flared in her eyes.
“I’ll be there right away. Don’t be scared.” Juliette reassured him.
Ending the call, Juliette strode toward the door with a stormy expression.
Evan grabbed her wrist. “Are we going to the Hayes family?”
Juliette yanked her arm free with such force that Evan stumbled and fell to the floor.
“No. No one is getting that sandalwood,” Juliette said coldly before walking out.
AD
Cadment
